Dennis the Menace plays ‘greatest prank yet’ as Royal Mint presses 75-year anniversary 50p coins | UK News

A new range of Dennis the Menace-themed coins will be minted, marking 75 years of the iconic comic prankster.

A collaboration between the Royal Mint and Beano will see Dennis and his dog Gnasher feature on collectable 50p coins.

Vibrant colour printing is available, meaning the cartoon character’s famous red and black jumper pops next to an engraving that reads “75 years of Dennis”.

The character made his first appearance in issue 452 of the Beano on 17 March 1951 and has since appeared on the BBC, ITV, and in video games.

Dennis and Gnasher were also the mascots for Beanoland in Chessington World of Adventures from 1999 to 2010.

It’s the latest birthday celebration for the famous prankster. For his 60th, he and Gnasher gatecrashed the headquarters of Sky News in a comic strip.

Rebecca Morgan, from the Royal Mint, said there’s “something wonderfully fitting about this legendary mischief-maker finally making his mark” on the collectable coins.

“I’m sure Dennis himself would see it as his greatest prank yet,” she added.

Rob Glenny, from Beano, which was launched by Dundee-based publisher DC Thomson in 1938, said the coin “captures the unmistakable spark that has kept Dennis at the heart of childhood for generations”.

Read more: How the Beano’s characters have changed

The commemorative coin is available to buy from the Royal Mint’s website from today, starting at £15.

Fom 26 February, visitors to the Royal Mint Experience, based in Llantrisant, South Wales, will also be able to mint their own Dennis the Menace coin.